Schools Set Example for Inclusion of Kids with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

Families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities have moved to Madison Wisconsin for the inclusionary nature of the public school system. The Moss family moved from Tennessee so that their son Garner could be integrated into general education classrooms. Now 17, Garner no longer requires an aide, is on the swim and cross-country sports teams, and is taking English, Chemistry and Personal Finance classes. John Harper, who oversees special education in Madison says, “. . . 88 percent of elementary students with disabilities were fully included in classes, along with 81 percent of middle school students and 63 percent of high school students. Most of the rest have a mix of general and special education classes; fewer than 5 percent are separate.”

David Riley of the Urban Special Education Leadership Collaboration agrees with Madison’s policies and cites schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C., and Clark County, Nevada as being inclusive.